Fixture

Match report by Clive James

After three consecutive league wins Risca travelled to Nantyglo looking to add another to consolidate themselves in the top half of the table. This they did in a far from convincing fashion with full back James Dowle continuing where he left off last week with another faultless display of goalkicking with five penalties and a conversion of a James Sully try.

Nantyglo belied their position in the table by taking the game to Risca and causing problems with only last ditch try saving tackles from Dowle and Ben Pesci keeping the line intact. The home side did eventually edge in front with a penalty after an infringement on the 22metre line. The following twenty minutes saw the error count by Risca mount up making it look as if the team had not played together before and no one seemed to be addressing the problems on the field. Then just before halftime the first positive phase of play saw flanker Sully cross for a converted try.

Half Time 10pts.-3.

Risca made a change at the start of the second half with no.8 Mike Preece coming off injured to be replaced by Callum Coughlin. As in previous games from the kick off the ball was not secured turning over possession resulting in the Nantyglo wing crossing for a converted try to level things up. Dowle restored the lead with his second penalty.

The home side then came back strongly with a series of attacks which were well defended but one which should have resulted in a score was squandered when with a three on one situation the home centre had white line fever and the danger was cleared.

For the remainder of the half Risca were beginning to dominate at the set piece and this saw Nantyglo conceding three penalties which Dowle converted to go 22pts.-10 up.

The run of wins continued with a less than convincing performance but hopefully with difficult fixtures in November against Penallta and Rhydyfelin coming up the skill levels can be  raised.

Man of the Match today goes to hooker Louis Tovey although wing Ben Pesci performed well particularly in defence.

Next week Fleur-Dy-Lys are the visitors in the Ben Francis cup.